How big is the world by Britta Teckentrup

"How big is the world?"  asked Little Mole.

"Why don't you go and find out?" replied dad.

You might remember my review of Bee also by Britta Teckentrup.  She is such a talented artist.  How Big is the World? is not a new book it was published in 2007 but I think it would be a perfect addition to the home library of a young child.

Little Mole wakes up one morning with the big question - how big is the world?  He dad suggests he go and find out. So Little Mole steps bravely out into the world and begins exploring.  He meets a spider who measures the world by the size of his web.  He meets a mouse who knows the world is as big as her field. A friendly seagull gives Little Mole a ride over the ocean where they meet a whale. The whale explains the world is MASSIVE and takes Little Mole from the poles to the tropics before turning for home.  Little Mole now has a perfect answer to his own question and dad is waiting to hear it.

In a time when we should be encouraging intellectual curiosity in our youngest children this book would be the perfect jumping off point.  After reading How big is the World you could explore your own neighborhood, pull out an atlas, open Google maps and images.  I would follow this book with One Small Rhinoceros and The real boat.

Here is the Kirkus review.  Click here to see all of the books by Britta Teckentrup.